Cartridges, dispensers, and kits for dispensing instrument covers

ABSTRACT

A kit for dispensing disposable stethoscope covers and other instrument covers is provided. The kit may include a cartridge and a dispenser for automatic touch-free dispensing of disposable stethoscope covers. The kit further includes a first spool having a roll of backing member with disposable stethoscope covers disposed thereon and a second spool for receiving the spent backing member after a disposable stethoscope cover has been removed, self-contained within the cartridge. The cartridge is inserted within the dispenser so that a user may insert a stethoscope head through a window of the dispenser to attach to a disposable stethoscope cover. Alternatively, the cartridge or cassette may be comprised of disposable instrument covers so that a user may insert the instrument near or through the window of the dispenser for application of the instrument cover directly to the instrument. The kit may further include a proximity sensor for detecting a user.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part claiming the benefit ofpriority from U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/865,182, filed May 1,2020, which claims the benefit of priority from U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 15/853,555, filed on Dec. 22, 2017, now U.S. Pat. No.10,676,270, which claims the benefit of priority from U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application No. 62/438,390, filed on Dec. 22, 2016, thedisclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This application generally relates to cartridges, dispensers, and kitsfor dispensing disposable stethoscope covers and ultrasound probecovers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A hospital-acquired infection (HAI), also known as a nosocomialinfection, is an infection that is acquired in a hospital or otherhealth care facilities. HAIs can be caused by bacteria, fungi, viruses,or other less common pathogens. These infections lead to the loss oftens of thousands of lives and cost the U.S. health care system billionsof dollars each year. All hospitalized patients are susceptible tocontracting a nosocomial infection. Some patients are at greater riskthan others—young children, the elderly, and persons with compromisedimmune systems are more likely to get an infection. On any given day,about one in 25 hospital patients has at least one HAI.

The role of medical devices in the transmission of (HAIs) has long beenrecognize. With numerous studies demonstrating the transmission ofpathogens from surface to patients and decades of medical literaturechronicling stethoscope bacterial contamination rates to be consistentlyhigh (average of 85%), stethoscopes are considered to be a potentiallysignificant vector for HAIs.

Although current standard of care guidelines recommends stethoscopes tobe disinfected before and after each patient auscultation, it isgenerally recognized that most physicians and nurses do not disinfecttheir stethoscopes routinely. Survey and research data support thisperception and reveal compliance to be less than 30%. Documented reasonsfor non-compliance include; current recommended practice is tedious andtime consuming, supplies not available and/or not located withinworkflow, concerns about wear and tear on stethoscope, and lack ofvisual reminders. Addressing these issues is critical to developing anoptimal solution that will be readily adopted by clinicians.

Disposable stethoscope covers provide a potential solution to protectagainst HAI. A stethoscope cover is a material that covers the surfaceof a stethoscope head, the portion of the stethoscope that comes intocontact with the skin of a patient, and acts as a barrier to prevent thetransfer of bacteria from the patient to the stethoscope, or vice versa.The disposables either cover or adhere to the stethoscope head forone-time use and may be discarded afterward. However, health careworkers may still inadvertently forget to or purposefully avoid thehassle of using and/or replacing the stethoscope covers due to timeconstraints. Additionally, known storage devices for storing anddispensing disposable stethoscope covers all require manual activation,which may result in transmission of bacterial contamination fromclinician's hands. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 7,117,971 to Cornacchiadescribes a stethoscope cover applicator for facilitating application ofstethoscope covers. The applicator includes a base having a supportsurface, a cutting edge, and a spindle carrying a roll of a membrane forinhibiting contact between the stethoscope head and the patient duringuse. However, the applicator requires the health care worker to contactthe stethoscope head with the membrane against the support surface, thenmanually unroll the spindle until the stethoscope and the attachedmembrane is past the cutting edge of the base, and subsequently applypressure to tear the membrane via the cutting edge to separate themembrane attached to the stethoscope head and the rest of the membraneon the spindle.

Similarly, disposable covers for a variety of instruments is sorelylacking in the state of the art. Specifically, ultrasound probes have agreat many shapes and sizes, making it difficult to develop a common setof parameters for a disposable probe cover that could be standardizedacross the market.

U.S. Patent Application No. 2011/0186590 to Lee describes a stethoscopecover and carrier strip assembly and a stethoscope cover dispenser. Thedispenser requires a medical professional to manually advance a coverfrom a rolled carrier strip into a staging area where the cover isstretched in both a longitudinal and a lateral direction to allowunencumbered insertion of the stethoscope head. U.S. Patent ApplicationNo. 2008/0257637 to Miller describes a dispensing apparatus that placesa disposable stethoscope head cover in an attachment station forattachment to a stethoscope head. The dispensing apparatus requires adispensing arm to move a disposable cover from a pre-staging shelf intothe attachment station. The dispensing apparatus may also determine whenthere are no disposable covers left in the pre-staging shelf when thedispensing arm is in a home position.

It would therefore be desirable to provide a touch-free stethoscopedispenser that may automatically dispense disposable stethoscope coversfor attachment to a stethoscope head.

It would further be desirable to provide a touch-free stethoscopedispenser that may automatically alert a health care worker when thesupply of disposable stethoscope covers is low or empty.

Additionally, there is a need in the art to provide a touch-freeultrasound probe dispenser that can automatically dispense disposableprobe covers for attachment to an ultrasound probe.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure overcomes the drawbacks of previously-knownsystems by providing cartridges, dispensers, and kits for dispensingdisposable stethoscope covers. The kit may include a cartridge and adispenser for receiving the cartridge. The cartridge may be disposable.The cartridge may include a first spool that holds a backing memberhaving disposable stethoscope covers disposed thereon and a second spoolthat holds spent backing member without disposable stethoscope coversdisposed thereon, such that the second spool is spaced apart from thefirst spool to define a flat area of the backing member disposed betweenthe first and second spools, and wherein the flat area is sized to allowcontact between a stethoscope head and the disposable stethoscopecovers. In one embodiment, the cartridge may include a frame that spacesapart the second spool from the first spool, and a flat back element formaintaining the flat area of the backing member between the first andsecond spools.

The cartridge also includes a housing for containing the backing memberhaving the disposable stethoscope covers disposed thereon and the spentbacking member without disposable stethoscope covers disposed thereon.The housing may have a cartridge window for permitting the insertion ofthe stethoscope head therethrough to couple the stethoscope head to thedisposable stethoscope cover exposed at the cartridge window andpositioned at the flat area of the backing member. The housing may alsohave an opening on the backside for receiving a flat back element formaintaining the flat area of the backing member between the first andsecond spools. Additionally, the housing may include a protrusion thatinteracts with at least one of the first or second spools to prevent thefirst or second spools from unraveling. The first and second spools mayrotate to expose the disposable stethoscope covers through the cartridgewindow. The dispenser is structured to receive the disposable cartridge,and may have a dispenser window aligned with the cartridge window andthe exposed flat area of the backing member. In one embodiment, thedispenser may only be compatible with a cartridge having a specifiedmarker, e.g., a physical marker, an electrical marker, or a barcode.

The kit may also include a motor and a processor having a memory and acommunication chip. The processor may cause the motor to rotate thefirst and second spools. The processor and/or the motor may be disposedin either the cartridge or the dispenser. The processor may beoperatively coupled to a proximity sensor that may detect when a user isin proximity to the dispenser window. Upon detection of a user, theprocessor causes the motor to rotate the first and second spools toexpose the disposable stethoscope covers through the dispenser window.In one embodiment, the proximity sensor may not be activated until thecartridge is received in the dispenser. The memory may store acceptableuser IDs such that the proximity sensor is not activated until a user IDreader operatively coupled to the processor detects an acceptable userID. For example, acceptable user IDs may include a unique personal ID, acode, or an optical signature. Further, the memory may store informationindicative of specific user usage based on the acceptable user IDsdetected by the user ID reader. Additionally, the processor may beoperatively coupled to a location sensor that detects a correspondingmarker of the backing member adjacent each of the disposable stethoscopecovers. The processor causes the motor to rotate the first and secondspools until the location sensor detects the corresponding markerdisposed on the backing member to align the disposable stethoscopecovers with the dispenser window. The processor may also be operativelycoupled an LED operatively coupled to the processor that lights up whenthe proximity sensor detects the user. The window of the dispenser mayinclude a location ring that lights up when the LED lights up.

Each of the disposable stethoscope covers may include a unique target,such that the processor causes a target reader operatively coupled tothe processor to detect the unique target and to store, in the memory,information indicative of a quantity of disposable stethoscope coversremaining on the first spool derived from the unique target. Forexample, the unique target may be a physical marker, an electricalmarker, or a barcode. The target reader may also detect when thedisposable stethoscope covers are removed from the flat area of thebacking member, such that the processor causes the proximity sensor todelay from detecting another user for a time period after the targetreader detects that one of the disposable stethoscope covers has beenremoved. The memory may also store a disposable stethoscope coverthreshold, such that the processor generates an alert, e.g., a visualalert, when the quantity of disposable stethoscope covers remaining onthe first spool approaches or reaches the disposable stethoscope coverthreshold. The processor may also transmit stored data to a remotestorage via the communication chip.

In accordance with yet another aspect of the present disclosure, anautomatic touch-free disposable stethoscope cover dispensing system isdescribed. The system may include a first spool that holds a backingmember having disposable stethoscope covers disposed thereon and asecond spool that holds spent backing member without disposablestethoscope covers disposed thereon, such that the second spool isspaced apart from the first spool to define a flat area of the backingmember disposed between the first and second spools, and wherein theflat area is sized to allow contact between a stethoscope head and thedisposable stethoscope covers. The system also includes a cartridge forhousing the backing member having the disposable stethoscope coversdisposed thereon and the spent backing member without disposablestethoscope covers disposed thereon. The cartridge includes a cartridgewindow for permitting insertion of the stethoscope head therethrough tocouple the stethoscope head to the disposable stethoscope cover exposedat the cartridge window and positioned at the flat area of the backingmember. The system also includes a dispenser for receiving thecartridge. The dispenser may have a dispenser window aligned with thecartridge window and the exposed flat area of the backing member, suchthat the first and second spools rotate to align the disposablestethoscope covers with the dispenser window.

In another aspect, the present invention provides for a kit comprising adispenser and a cassette for automatic touch-free dispensing ofdisposable instrument covers, the cassette comprising: a first spoolconfigured to hold a backing member having the disposable instrumentcovers disposed thereon; a second spool configured to hold spent backingmembers without the disposable instrument covers disposed thereon, thesecond spool spaced apart from the first spool to define a flat area ofthe backing member disposed between the first and second spools, theflat area sized to allow contact between an instrument and thedisposable instrument covers; and a dispenser housing with a lidconfigured to house the cartridge, the dispenser housing comprising acartridge window configured to permit insertion of the instrumenttherethrough to permit coupling of the instrument to the disposableinstrument cover exposed at the cartridge window and positioned at theflat area of the backing member, wherein the first and second spools areconfigured to rotate such that the disposable instrument covers areexposed through the cartridge window. Preferably, the dispenser housingcomprises a dispenser window aligned with the cartridge window and theexposed flat area of the backing member. Most preferably, the instrumentis an ultrasound probe and the disposable instrument covers aredisposable covers for application to the ultrasound probe.

In another aspect, the present invention provides for a cassette forautomatic touch-free dispensing of disposable instrument covers onto aninstrument, the cassette comprising: a first spool configured to hold abacking member having the disposable instrument covers disposed thereon;a second spool configured to hold spent backing members without thedisposable instrument covers disposed thereon, the second spool spacedapart from the first spool to define a flat area of the backing memberdisposed between the first and second spools; and a peeler pinpositioned proximate to the first spool and used to partially separatethe disposable instrument covers from the backing member to ease thetransfer of the disposable instrument cover onto the instrument, whereinthe first and second spools are configured to rotate such that thedisposable instrument covers are exposed through a cassette windowpositioned at a front face of the cassette. Preferably, the flat areacomprises a resistance section which provides resistance to the backingmember once the disposable instrument contacts the disposable instrumentcover through the cassette window.

The present invention further provides for an aspect wherein thecassette comprises a lid further comprising separate spool structures tointerface with the first spool and the second spool within the cassette.Optionally, the cassette comprises a cassette flooring through which atleast a drive port and a supply port are positioned. Preferably, thepresent invention provides for a drive gear connected to a motor thatextends through the cassette flooring at the drive port to interfacewith the first spool or the second spool. Most preferably, the driveport is positioned below the second spool and the supply port ispositioned below the first spool.

Optionally, the present invention further provides for the flat areasized to allow contact between an instrument and the disposableinstrument covers. Most preferably, the instrument is an ultrasoundprobe.

In yet another aspect, the present invention provides for a kitcomprising a dispenser and a cassette for automatic touch-freedispensing of disposable instrument covers onto an instrument, thecassette comprising: a first spool configured to hold a backing memberhaving the disposable instrument covers disposed thereon; a second spoolconfigured to hold spent backing members without the disposableinstrument covers disposed thereon, the second spool spaced apart fromthe first spool to define a flat area of the backing member disposedbetween the first and second spools, wherein the first and second spoolsare configured to rotate such that the disposable instrument covers areexposed through a cassette window positioned at a front face of thecassette; a peeler pin positioned proximate to the first spool and usedto partially separate the disposable instrument covers from the backingmember to ease the transfer of the disposable instrument cover onto theinstrument; and a dispenser housing with a lid configured to house thecassette, the dispenser housing comprising an access window configuredto permit insertion of the instrument therethrough to permit coupling ofthe instrument to the disposable instrument cover exposed at the accesswindow and positioned at the flat area of the backing member, whereinthe first and second spools are configured to rotate such that thedisposable instrument covers are exposed through the access window.Preferably, the cassette window of the cassette and the access window ofthe dispenser housing are aligned.

Most preferably, this aspect of the present invention provides for theflat area further comprising a resistance section which providesresistance to the backing member once the disposable instrument contactsthe disposable instrument cover through the cassette window. Optionally,the cassette comprises a lid further comprising separate spoolstructures to interface with the first spool and the second spool withinthe cassette. Alternatively, the cassette comprises a cassette flooringthrough which at least a drive port and a supply port are positioned. Ina preferred embodiment, a drive gear is connected to a motor and extendsthrough the cassette flooring at the drive port to interface with thefirst spool or the second spool. In a most preferred embodiment, thedrive port is positioned below the second spool and the supply port ispositioned below the first spool.

Preferably, the flat area is sized to allow contact between aninstrument and the disposable instrument covers. Most preferably, theinstrument is an ultrasound probe and the disposable instrument coversare disposable covers for application to the ultrasound probe.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A through 1D show an exemplary cartridge of a kit for dispensingdisposable stethoscope covers constructed in accordance with theprinciples of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of the present disclosure wherein the spoolincludes a sprocket.

FIG. 3A shows an exemplary printed circuit board of a kit for dispensingdisposable stethoscope covers constructed in accordance with theprinciples of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3B is a schematic illustration of various components operativelycoupled to a processor constructed in accordance with the principles ofthe present disclosure.

FIG. 3C illustrates the insertion of the printed circuit board of FIG.3A into a dispenser for receiving the cartridge of FIGS. 1A through 1Dand for dispensing disposable stethoscope covers.

FIG. 4A illustrates the insertion of the cartridge of FIGS. 1A through1D into an exemplary dispenser for dispensing disposable stethoscopecovers constructed in accordance with the principles of the presentdisclosure. FIG. 4B shows the dispenser of FIG. 4A in a closedconfiguration.

FIG. 4C shows the interior of the dispenser of FIG. 4A in a closedconfiguration with a disposable stethoscope cover aligned with thedispenser window. FIG. 4D is an exterior view of the dispenser of FIG.4C.

FIGS. 5A through 5D show an exemplary spool frame of a kit fordispensing disposable stethoscope covers constructed in accordance withthe principles of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 6A through 6C show another exemplary cartridge of a kit fordispensing disposable stethoscope covers wherein the spool frame ofFIGS. 5A through 5D is disposed within an exemplary cartridge housingconstructed in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7A illustrates the insertion of the cartridge of FIGS. 6A through6C into another exemplary dispenser for dispensing disposablestethoscope covers constructed in accordance with the principles of thepresent disclosure. FIG. 7B shows the cartridge of FIGS. 6A through 6Cinserted within the dispenser of FIG. 7A in an open configuration.

FIG. 7C shows the dispenser of FIG. 7B in a closed configuration. FIG.7D shows the dispenser of FIG. 7C with a disposable stethoscope coveraligned with the dispenser window.

FIG. 8 shows another exemplary spool system constructed in accordancewith the principles of the present disclosure.

FIG. 9 shows another embodiment of the spool system of the presentinvention embedded in an exemplary cassette system of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 10 shows a preferred embodiment of the cassette housing thepreferred spool system of the present disclosure.

FIG. 11 shows the housing assembly of the present disclosure and cutawaysections detailing the interior of the assembly housing.

FIG. 12A shows preliminary alignment of cassette as it enters thehousing assembly.

FIG. 12B shows the cassette fully installed within the housing assembly.

FIG. 13 shows a transparent side view of the preferred embodiment of thehousing assembly with cassette installed.

FIG. 14A shows a preferred arrangement of disposable stethoscope coversdisposed on the backing member.

FIG. 14B shows an alternative embodiment of the backing member of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 15 shows an exploded view of the cassette and dispenser housingrelated to the disposable instrument cover embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 16 shows a top view with lid removed (16A) and a perspective viewfrom the underside as assembled (16B) of the cassette used in thedisposable instrument cover embodiment of the present invention. FIG.16C shows how the partial separation of the disposable instrumentcover/probe cover from the backing member occurs as the as the backingmember migrates from supply spool to tape spool.

FIG. 17 shows an exploded view (17A) and a perspective view as assembled(17B) of the preferred embodiment of the ultrasound probe coverdispenser, with barrier wrapper, of the present invention.

FIG. 18 shows a variety of ultrasound probes for use with the ultrasoundprobe cover dispenser of the present invention. Relative scales of eachprobe are displayed, in inches.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The kit for dispensing disposable stethoscope covers comprises acartridge having a spool of backing member with disposable stethoscopecovers disposed thereon and a spool for collecting spent backing member,self-contained therein, and a dispenser for receiving the cartridge andfor touch-free dispensing of the disposable stethoscope covers. The kitfurther includes a power source for powering a motor to dispense thedisposable stethoscope covers. In accordance with the principles of thepresent disclosure, the kit disclosed herein may be utilized forautomatic touch-free dispensing of disposable stethoscope covers.

Referring to FIGS. 1A-1D, an exemplary cartridge of a kit for dispensingdisposable stethoscope covers constructed in accordance with theprinciples of the present disclosure is described. Cartridge 100comprises cartridge housing 110, first spool 102, second spool 104,backing member 106, and disposable stethoscope covers. First spool 102,second spool 104, backing member 106, and the disposable stethoscopecovers are sized and shaped to be self-contained within cartridgehousing 110 such that backing member 106 transfers from first spool 102to second spool 104, entirely within cartridge housing 110.

As shown in FIG. 1A, cartridge housing 110 comprises cartridge window112, back opening 114, first spool notches 116, and second spool notches117. Cartridge opening 112 is sized to permit exposure of backing member106 and the disposable stethoscope covers disposed thereon from withinhousing 110 such that the disposable stethoscope covers may be attachedto a stethoscope head. Back opening 114 is sized to allow a back elementhaving a flat surface enter cartridge 100 to press against the backsideof a portion of backing member 106 to thereby provide a flat area ofbacking member 106 such that a stethoscope head may press against theflat area of backing member 106, e.g., touch-free, to attach to thedisposable stethoscope cover disposed thereon. First spool notches 116are sized and shaped to engage with the opposite ends of first spool 102and second spool notches 117 are sized and shaped to engage with theopposite ends of second spool 104. As shown in FIG. 1A, first spool 102may have a full roll of backing member 106 disposed thereon. Preferably,a full roll of backing member 106 may comprise up to, for example, 250,500, or 1000 disposable stethoscope covers. The disposable stethoscopecovers may be equally spaced apart on backing member 106.

The disposable stethoscope covers may be constructed similar to thosewell known in the art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,686,706 toWurzburger, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated by referenceherein, describes disposable stethoscope covers removably attachable toa stethoscope head. As described in Wurzburger, the disposablestethoscope covers may include an appendage for easy removal of thecover from the stethoscope head after use. The disposable stethoscopecovers may be removably affixed to backing member 106 on one side via,e.g., an adhesive backing, such that the disposable stethoscope coversare disposed on backing member 106 when rolled about the central axis offirst spool 102. The disposable stethoscope covers may be made of a thinflexible material having antimicrobial properties for ease of attachmentand removal to and from backing member 106. Other material compositionsof the disposable stethoscope covers may be used as will be understoodby one skilled in the art.

As shown in FIG. 1A, first spool 102 may be contained within housing 110by engaging the opposite ends of first spool 102 within first spoolnotches 116. At least one of the ends of first spool 102 may comprisesprocket 103 as described in more detail below. As one skilled in theart would understand, the ends of first spool 102 may have a diameterlarger than the diameter of the center axis of first spool 102 such thata roll of backing member 106 may be contained in between the ends offirst spool 102.

As shown in FIG. 1B, a portion of backing member 106 may be pulled fromthe roll of backing member 106 disposed on first spool 102 and wrappedaround and affixed to the center axis of second spool 104. A portion ofbacking member 106 disposed between first spool 102 and second spool 104forms flat area 108. Second spool 104 may be contained within housing110 by engaging the opposite ends of second spool 104 within secondspool notches 117, such that flat area 108 is positioned above backopening 114 of housing 110. At least one of the ends of second spool 104may comprise spool gear 105 as described in more detail below. As oneskilled in the art would understand, the ends of second spool 104 mayhave a diameter larger than the diameter of the center axis of secondspool 104 such that a roll of spent backing member 106 may be containedin between the ends of second spool 104.

FIG. 1C illustrates cartridge 100 wherein first spool 102 and secondspool 104 are both engaged with housing 110. As shown in FIG. 1C,housing 110 may transition from an open configuration to a closedconfiguration wherein first spool 102, second spool 104, backing member106, and the disposable stethoscope covers are self-contained withinhousing 110.

FIG. 1D illustrates cartridge 100 wherein housing 110 is in the closedconfiguration such that first spool 102, second spool 104, backingmember 106, and the disposable stethoscope covers are self-containedwithin housing 110. As shown in FIG. 1D, flat area 108 of backing member106 is exposed through cartridge window 112. The portion of backingmembrane 106 forming flat area 108 in FIG. 1D is shown without adisposable stethoscope cover in a ready-to-dispense position. In oneembodiment, backing member 106 may comprise proximity sensor hole 118,marker 120, and LED hole 122, in proximity to the location of eachdisposable stethoscope cover disposed on backing member 106, describedin more detail below. As shown in FIG. 1D, cartridge housing 110 mayfurther include specified marker 128, e.g., physical marker, electricalmarker, or barcode, such that a dispenser designed to receive cartridge100 will only be compatible with cartridges having the specified markeras described in further detail below.

As shown in FIG. 2, at least one end of first spool 102 may comprisesprocket 103. Sprocket 103 comprises a series of protrusions around thecircumferential edge of an end of first spool 102. Housing 110 mayinclude protrusion 124 that engages with the series of protrusions ofsprocket 103 when first spool 102 is engaged with first spool notches116 to permit first spool 102 to rotate unidirectionally toward secondspool 104, e.g., counter-clockwise, and prevent the roll of backingmember 106 from unraveling within housing 110.

Referring to FIG. 3A, an exemplary printed circuit board (PCB) of a kitfor dispensing disposable stethoscope covers constructed in accordancewith the principles of the present disclosure is described. As shown inFIG. 3A, PCB 300 comprises processor 302 having memory 304 andcommunication chip 306, proximity sensor 308, location sensor 310, andLED 312 (optional). In FIG. 3A, components of processor 302 are notdepicted to scale on either a relative or absolute basis. Processor 302may be operatively coupled to proximity sensor 308, location sensor 310,and LED 312.

Proximity sensor 308 may be any sensor known in the art to detect when auser is within a predetermined proximity. Proximity sensor 308 may begindetecting for users upon activation of proximity sensor 308 by processor302. Upon detection of a user within a predetermined proximity,processor 302 may cause first spool 102 and second spool 104 to rotatesuch that a portion of backing member 106 travels from first spool 102to second spool 104. Backing member 106 may continuously travel fromfirst spool 102 to second spool 104 until location sensor 310 detectsmarker 120 disposed on backing member 106 adjacent to each disposablestethoscope cover. Marker 120 may be, for example, a digital, physical,or electronic marker. Upon detection of marker 120 by location sensor310, processor 302 causes first spool 102 and second 104 to stoprotating. Marker 120 will be located at a position on backing member 106such that when backing member 106 stops traveling from first spool 102to second spool 104, a subsequent portion of backing member 106 formsflat area 108 having a disposable stethoscope cover in aready-to-dispense position such that the disposable stethoscope cover isaligned with cartridge window 112.

Referring to FIG. 3B, various components operatively coupled, e.g., byelectrical connection, to processor 302 in accordance with theprinciples of the present disclosure are described. As shown in FIG. 3B,processor 302 may be operatively coupled to target reader 314, e.g., anoptical sensor, user ID reader 316, and cartridge verifier 318.Accordingly, each disposable stethoscope cover disposed on backingmember 106 may include a unique target. Each unique target may haveinformation embedded therein indicative a quantity of disposablestethoscope covers remaining on the roll of backing member 106 disposedon first spool 102. Each unique target may be, for example, a physicalmarker such as a number or a color, an electrical marker, or a barcode,such that target reader 314 may detect the unique target. Target reader314 may be mounted within housing 110 or within a dispenser as describedin further detail below. When a disposable stethoscope cover is alignedwith cartridge window 112 in a ready-to-dispense position, processor 302may cause target reader 314 to detect the unique target and to store, inmemory 304, information indicative of a quantity of disposablestethoscope covers remaining on first spool 102 derived from the uniquetarget. Target reader 314 may also detect the presence of a disposablestethoscope cover on backing member 106. Upon detection of the removalof the disposable stethoscope cover from flat area 108 of backing member106, processor 302 may delay reactivation of proximity sensor 308 for apredetermined amount of time, e.g., 3, 5, or 10 seconds. For example,after target reader 314 detects that a disposable stethoscope cover hasbeen removed from flat area 108 of backing member 106, proximity sensor308 will not detect a user, and accordingly will not cause rotation offirst spool 102 and second spool 104, until the predetermined amount oftime has elapsed.

Memory 304 may store a disposable stethoscope cover threshold such thatprocessor 302 compares the quantity of disposable stethoscope coversremaining on first spool 102 against the disposable stethoscope coverthreshold, and generates an alert when the quantity of disposablestethoscope covers remaining on first spool approaches and/or reachesthe disposable stethoscope cover threshold. The alert may be a signalgenerated by processor 302 and transmitted to a remote, externalcomputing device or external storage, e.g., mobile phone, laptop,computer, or Cloud, via communication chip 306 such that a person usingor observing the external computing device or uploading data from theexternal storage may be notified that disposable cartridge 100 is lowand/or needs to be replaced. Communication chip 306 may transmit andreceive data via, e.g., Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or cellular communication.Additionally, or alternatively, the alert may be a light signal producedby LED 312. For example, LED 312, aligned with LED hole 122, may lightup yellow to indicate that the supply of disposable stethoscope coversis approaching the disposable stethoscope cover threshold by apredetermined amount, and/or red to indicate that the supply ofdisposable stethoscope covers has reached the disposable stethoscopecover threshold.

The subsequent portion of backing member 106 that travels from firstspool 102 to form flat area 108 will have a disposable stethoscope coverdisposed thereon as described above. In one embodiment, proximity sensor308 may be aligned with proximity sensor hole 118 of backing member 106,and may also detect the presence of a disposable stethoscope cover onbacking member 106. Upon detection of the removal of the disposablestethoscope cover from flat area 108 of backing member 106, processor302 may delay reactivation of proximity sensor 308 for a predeterminedamount of time, e.g., 3, 5, or 10 seconds. For example, after proximitysensor 308 detects that a disposable stethoscope cover has been removedfrom flat area 108 of backing member 106, proximity sensor 308 will notdetect a user, and accordingly will not cause rotation of first spool102 and second spool 104, until the predetermined amount of time haselapsed.

Memory 304 may store acceptable user IDs that correspond to user IDsassigned to various users. Accordingly, user ID reader 316 may detectthe user IDs assigned to various users such that processor 302 does notactivate proximity sensor 308 until a user ID is detected which matchesan acceptable user ID stored in memory 304. The user ID assigned to thevarious users may be, for example, a unique personal ID, a scan cardhaving a barcode, a passcode, or an optical signature. User ID reader316 may be any well-known device for detecting a user ID, for example, abarcode scanner having a light source, a lens, and a light sensor fortranslating optical impulses into electric impulses to detect a barcode,or a graphical user interface (GUI) for receiving a passcode. Memory 304may further store information indicative of usage by the various usersto track specific user usage based on the acceptable user IDs detectedby user ID reader 316.

As described above, each cartridge housing 110 may further includespecified marker 128, e.g., physical marker, electrical marker, orbarcode, such that a dispenser designed to receive cartridge 100 willonly be compatible with cartridges having the specified marker.Accordingly, cartridge verifier 318 may detect the specified markerdisposed on cartridge housing 110 such that processor 302 does notactivate proximity sensor 308 until the specified marker is detected.Cartridge verifier 318 may be any well-known device for detecting aspecified marker, for example, a bar code scanner or an optical sensor.Cartridge verifier 318 may be mounted within the dispenser as describedin further detail below.

As show in FIG. 3C, PCB 300 may be positioned within back element 402 ofdispenser 400. As described above, back element 402 is a portion ofdispenser 400 having a flat surface that may enter cartridge 100 throughback opening 114 of housing 110 to press against the backside of aportion of backing member 106 to thereby provide flat area 108 ofbacking member 106 such that a stethoscope head may press against flatarea 108 of backing member 106, e.g., touch-free, to attach to thedisposable stethoscope cover disposed thereon. PCB 300 may be positionedwithin back element 402 such that proximity sensor 308, location sensor310, and LED 312 aligns with a proximity sensor hole, location sensorhole, and LED hole, respectively, of back element 402 as described inmore detailed below.

Referring now to FIGS. 4A through 4D, the insertion of cartridge 100into an exemplary dispenser for dispensing disposable stethoscope coversconstructed in accordance with the principles of the present disclosureis described. As shown in FIG. 4A, dispenser 400 comprises front panel414 having dispenser window 416 and location ring 418, wherein frontpanel 414 may pivot about dispenser hinge 406 such that dispenser 400may transition between an open configuration and a closed configuration.Dispenser 400 is designed to be easily cleaned, e.g., rounded edges, andmay be wall-mounted to hold the cartridge in a readily accessibleorientation and position. Dispenser 400 may further include back element402 having proximity sensor hole 408, location sensor hole 410, and LEDhole 412, which aligns with proximity sensor 308, location sensor 310,and LED 312, respectively, of PCB 300 positioned within back element402, and cartridge clamp 404 for removably securing cartridge 100 withindispenser 400. When cartridge 100 is fully inserted within dispenser400, proximity sensor 308, location sensor 310, and LED 312 of PCB 300are aligned with proximity sensor hole 408, location sensor hole 410,and LED hole 412, respectively, of back element 402, and with proximitysensor hole 118, marker 120, and LED hole 122, respectively, of backingmember 106. As described above, dispenser 400 may include cartridgeverifier 318 such that dispenser 400 will only be compatible withcartridges having specified marker 128, e.g., physical marker,electrical marker, or barcode.

Dispenser 400 may house power source 422, motor 424, and dispenser gear426, wherein motor 422 is operatively coupled to processor 302. Whencartridge 100 is fully inserted within dispenser 400, spool gear 105 ofsecond spool 104 engages with dispenser gear 426 through an opening ofcartridge housing 110 of cartridge 110. As described above, upondetection of a user by proximity sensor 308, processor 302 may causemotor 424 to rotate gear 426 which causes the rotation of spool gear 105and accordingly second spool 104. The rotation of second spool 104causes backing member 106 to travel from first spool 102 to second spool104. Therefore, as a disposable stethoscope cover is removed frombacking member 106, the spent backing member is collected by secondspool 104 and self-contained within housing 110. Power source 422delivers power to the components of PCB 300 and to motor 424 to rotatedispenser gear 426. Power source 422, e.g., battery, may have an amountof energy stored equal to the dispensing power required to dispense afull roll of disposable stethoscope covers, e.g., up to 250, 500, or1000 covers.

FIG. 4B illustrates dispenser 400 in a closed configuration withcartridge 100 disposed therein. As shown in FIG. 4B, flat area 108 ofbacking member 106 is aligned with and exposed through dispenser window416. Additionally, proximity sensor 308 is aligned with proximity sensorhole 408 of back element 402 and proximity sensor hole 118 of backingmember 106. Location ring 418 may encircle dispenser opening 416 and maybe adjacent to LED 112 when dispenser 400 is in a closed configuration.Location ring 418 may be composed of a translucent material such thatlocation ring 418 illuminates when LED 312 lights up. In one embodiment,LED 312, aligned with LED hole 122, may illuminate a light, e.g., white,green, or blue, constantly while proximity sensor 308 is activated,causing location ring 418 to illuminate in a similar manner. This may behelpful in parts of the hospital that may be dark, such as an operatingroom, so the health care worker may locate dispenser window 416 and knowwhere to place the stethoscope head to attach to a disposablestethoscope cover. As described above, the color of the lightilluminated by LED 312, and accordingly location ring 418, may changedepending on the quantity of disposable stethoscope covers remaining incartridge 100.

FIG. 4C illustrates the interior of dispenser 400 in a closedconfiguration with cartridge 100 disposed therein wherein a disposablestethoscope cover is in a ready-to-dispense position. As shown in FIG.4C, disposable stethoscope cover 101 is disposed on flat area 108 ofbacking member 106 between first spool 102 and second spool 104 withinhousing 110 of cartridge 100. Disposable stethoscope cover 101 was movedinto the ready-to-dispense position upon proximity sensor 308 detectinga user, and processor 302 causing second spool 104 to rotate via motor424 and gear 426 until location sensor 310 detected marker 120 onbacking member 106 adjacent to disposable stethoscope cover 101. Asdescribed above, disposable stethoscope cover 101 may include uniquetarget 126 having information indicative of a quantity of disposablestethoscope covers remaining on first spool 102 embedded therein, suchthat memory 304 may store the information upon the detection of uniquetarget 126 by target reader 314.

FIG. 4D illustrates dispenser 400 having disposable stethoscope cover101 aligned with dispenser window 418, ready for a user, e.g., healthcare worker, to position a stethoscope head within dispenser window 416to contact and adhere to disposable stethoscope cover 101, and to removedisposable stethoscope cover 101 from flat area 108 of backing member106. As described above, after target reader 314 or proximity sensor 308detects that disposable stethoscope cover 101 has been removed frombacking member 106, processor 302 may delay reactivation of proximitysensor 308. After a predetermined amount of time, proximity sensor 308may be reactivated such that proximity sensor 308 is able detect a user,permitting a subsequent disposable stethoscope cover to be moved to theready-to-dispense position. As described above, location ring 418 maycommunicate to a user the quantity of disposable stethoscope coversremaining in cartridge 100. Accordingly, when cartridge 100 is ready tobe replaced, front panel 414 of dispenser 400 may transitioned to anopen configuration so that empty cartridge 100 may be removed fromdispenser 400 by disengaging empty cartridge 100 from cartridge clamp404 within dispenser 400, and a full cartridge may be inserted intodispenser 400. As described above, PCB 300, power source 422, motor 424,and gear 426 may be disposed within dispenser 400. However, in analternative embodiment, the PCB, power source, motor, and gear may befully contained within a disposable cartridge, such that the dispenseronly holds the cartridge in a readily accessible orientation andposition, as described in further detail below.

Referring to FIGS. 5A through 5D, an exemplary spool frame of a kit fordispensing disposable stethoscope covers constructed in accordance withthe principles of the present disclosure is described. Spool frame 500comprises flat back portion 514, first spool 502, second spool 504,backing member 506, power source 534, motor 509, frame gear 507, and PCB520. First spool 502 and second spool 504 are constructed similarly tofirst spool 102 and second spool 104, respectively, of FIGS. 1A-1D, suchthat sprocket 503 and spool gear 505 correspond to sprocket 103 andspool gear 105. As shown in FIG. 5A, flat back portion 514 is fixed totwo frame arms, each having first spool notch 516 and second spool notch517. Flat back portion 514 allows the backside of a portion of backingmember 506 between first spool 502 and second spool 504 to rest againstflat back portion 514 to thereby provide a flat area of backing member506 such that a stethoscope head may press against the flat area ofbacking member 506, e.g., touch-free, to attach to the disposablestethoscope cover disposed thereon. First spool notches 516 are sizedand shaped to engage with the opposite ends of first spool 502 andsecond spool notches 517 are sized and shaped to engage with theopposite ends of second spool 504. Flat back portion 514 may includeproximity sensor hole 508, location sensor hole 510, and LED hole 512.

PCB 520 is constructed similarly to PCB 300 of FIG. 3A, such thatprocessor 522 having memory 524 and communication chip 526, proximitysensor 528, location sensor 530, and LED 532 (optional) corresponds toprocessor 302 having memory 304 and communication chip 306, proximitysensor 308, location sensor 310, and LED 312 (optional) of PCB 300. Inaddition, processor 522 may be operatively coupled to a target readercorresponding to target reader 314, a user ID reader corresponding touser ID reader 316, and a cartridge verifier corresponding to cartridgeverifier 318. In FIG. 5A, components of processor 522 are not depictedto scale on either a relative or absolute basis. PCB 520 differs fromPCB 300 in that PCB 520 may have power source 534 directly affixed toPCB 520, wherein power source 534 delivers power to the components ofPCB 520 and to motor 509 described in more detail below. PCB 520 may beaffixed to the backside of flat back portion 514 of frame 500 such thatproximity sensor 528, location sensor 530, and LED 532 aligns withproximity sensor hole 508, location sensor hole 510, and LED hole 512,respectively, of flat back portion 514.

FIG. 5B illustrates the backside of spool frame 500 wherein second spool504 is coupled to frame 500 by engaging the opposite ends of secondspool 504 within second spool notches 517. As shown in FIG. 5B, motor509 and frame gear 507 may be affixed to spool frame 500 such that framegear 507 engages with spool gear 505 of second spool 504 when secondspool 504 is coupled to frame 500. As shown in FIG. 5C, first spool 502may be coupled to frame 500 by engaging the opposite ends of first spool502 within first spool notches 516. As one skilled in the art wouldunderstand, the ends of first spool 502 may have a diameter larger thanthe diameter of the center axis of first spool 502 such that a roll ofbacking member 506 may be contained in between the ends of first spool502.

As shown in FIG. 5D, a portion of backing member 502 may be pulled fromthe roll of backing member 506 disposed on first spool 502 and wrappedaround and affixed to the center axis of second spool 504. A portion ofbacking member 506 disposed between first spool 502 and second spool 504forms flat area 518, which rests against flat portion 514 of frame 500.As one skilled in the art would understand, the ends of second spool 504may have a diameter larger than the diameter of the center axis ofsecond spool 504 such that a roll of backing member 506 may be containedin between the ends of second spool 504.

Referring now to FIGS. 6A through 6C, another exemplary cartridge of akit for dispensing disposable stethoscope covers constructed inaccordance with the principles of the present disclosure is described.Cartridge 600 comprises cartridge housing 602 which is sized and shapedto receive spool frame 500. Cartridge housing 602 is similar in size andshape to cartridge housing 110 of cartridge 100 of FIG. 1A. Spool frame500, first spool 502, second spool 504, backing member 506, and thedisposable stethoscope covers are sized and shaped to be self-containedwithin cartridge housing 602 such that backing member 506 transfers fromfirst spool 502 to second spool 504, entirely within cartridge housing602. As shown in FIG. 6A, cartridge housing 602 comprises cartridgewindow 604. Cartridge window 604 is sized to permit exposure of backingmember 506 and the disposable stethoscope covers disposed thereon fromwithin cartridge housing 602 such that the disposable stethoscope coversmay be attached to a stethoscope head.

As shown in FIG. 6B, cartridge housing 602 may transition from an openconfiguration to a closed configuration wherein spool frame 500, firstspool 502, second spool 504, backing member 506, and the disposablestethoscope covers are self-contained within cartridge housing 602.

FIG. 6C illustrates cartridge 600 wherein cartridge housing 602 is inthe closed configuration such that spool frame 500, first spool 502,second spool 504, backing member 506, and the disposable stethoscopecovers are self-contained within cartridge housing 602. Similar tocartridge housing 110 of FIG. 2, cartridge housing 602 may include aprotrusion that engages with sprocket 503 to permit first spool 502 torotate unidirectionally toward second spool 504, e.g.,counter-clockwise, and prevent the roll of backing member 506 fromunraveling within cartridge housing 602. As shown in FIG. 6C, flat area518 of backing member 106 is exposed through cartridge window 604. Theportion of backing membrane 506 forming flat area 518 in FIG. 6C isshown without a disposable stethoscope cover in a ready-to-dispenseposition. In one embodiment, backing member 506 may comprise proximitysensor hole 538, marker 540, and LED hole 542, in proximity to thelocation of each disposable stethoscope cover disposed on backing member506. As shown in FIG. 6C, proximity sensor 528, location sensor 530, andLED 532 of PCB 520 are aligned with proximity sensor hole 508, locationsensor hole 510, and LED hole 512, respectively, of flat portion 514 ofspool frame 500, and with proximity sensor hole 538, marker 540, and LEDhole 542, respectively, of backing member 506. As shown in FIG. 6C,cartridge housing 602 may further include specified marker 606, e.g.,physical marker, electrical marker, or barcode, such that a dispenserdesigned to receive cartridge 600 will only be compatible withcartridges having the specified marker as described in further detailbelow.

Referring now to FIGS. 7A through 7D, the insertion of cartridge 600into another exemplary dispenser for dispensing disposable stethoscopecovers constructed in accordance with the principles of the presentdisclosure is described. As shown in FIG. 7A, dispenser 700 comprisescartridge clamp 704 for removably securing cartridge 600 withindispenser 700, and front panel 702 having dispenser window 708 andlocation ring 709, wherein front panel 702 may pivot about dispenserhinge 706 such that dispenser 700 may transition between an openconfiguration and a closed configuration. Dispenser 700 is designed tobe easily cleaned, e.g., rounded edges, and may be wall-mounted to holdcartridge 600 in a readily accessible orientation and position. Asdescribed above, dispenser 700 may include cartridge verifier 710 suchthat dispenser 700 will only be compatible with cartridges havingspecified marker 606, e.g., physical marker, electrical marker, orbarcode. FIG. 7B shows dispenser 700 with cartridge 600 positionedwithin dispenser 700, removably secured via clamp 704.

Dispenser 700 having cartridge 600 disposed therein functions in asimilar manner to dispenser 400 having cartridge 100 disposed therein.For example, as described above, upon detection of a user by proximitysensor 528, processor 522 may cause motor 509 to rotate gear 507 whichcauses the rotation of spool gear 505 and accordingly second spool 504.The rotation of second spool 504 causes backing member 506 to travelfrom first spool 502 to second spool 504. Therefore, as a disposablestethoscope cover is removed from backing member 506, the spent backingmember is collected by second spool 504 and self-contained withincartridge housing 602.

FIG. 7C illustrates dispenser 700 in a closed configuration withcartridge 600 disposed therein. As shown in FIG. 7B, flat area 518 ofbacking member 506 is aligned with and exposed through dispenser window708. Additionally, proximity sensor 528 is aligned with proximity sensorhole 508 of flat area portion 514 and proximity sensor hole 538 ofbacking member 506. Location ring 709 may encircle dispenser opening 708and may be adjacent to LED 532 when dispenser 700 is in a closedconfiguration. Location ring 709 may be composed of a translucentmaterial such that location ring 709 illuminates when LED 532 lights up.In one embodiment, LED 532, aligned with LED hole 542, may illuminate alight, e.g., white, green, or blue, constantly while proximity sensor528 is activated, causing location ring 709 to illuminate in a similarmanner. This may be helpful in parts of the hospital that may be dark,such as an operating room, so the health care worker may locatedispenser window 708 and know where to place the stethoscope head toattach to a disposable stethoscope cover. As described above, the colorof the light illuminated by LED 532, and accordingly location ring 709,may change depending on the quantity of disposable stethoscope coversremaining in cartridge 600.

FIG. 7D illustrates dispenser 700 having disposable stethoscope cover701 aligned with dispenser window 708, ready for a user, e.g., healthcare worker, to position a stethoscope head within dispenser window 708to contact and adhere to disposable stethoscope cover 701, and to removedisposable stethoscope cover 701 from flat area 518 of backing member506. As described above, after the target reader or proximity sensor 528detects that disposable stethoscope cover 701 has been removed frombacking member 506, processor 522 may delay reactivation of proximitysensor 528. After a predetermined amount of time, proximity sensor 528may be reactivated such that proximity sensor 528 is able detect a user,permitting a subsequent disposable stethoscope cover to be moved to theready-to-dispense position. As described above, location ring 709 maycommunicate to a user the quantity of disposable stethoscope coversremaining in cartridge 600. Accordingly, when cartridge 600 is ready tobe replaced, front panel 702 of dispenser 700 may be moved to an openconfiguration so that empty cartridge 600 may be removed from dispenser700 by disengaging empty cartridge 600 clamp 704 within dispenser 700,and a full cartridge may be inserted into dispenser 700.

Referring to FIG. 8, another exemplary spool system constructed inaccordance with the principles of the present disclosure is described.Spool system 800 comprises disposable stethoscope covers 801, supplyspool 802, collection spool 804, backing member 806, protective tape810, first idler 812, second idler 814, third idler 816, and tape spool818. Disposable stethoscope cover 801, supply spool 802, collectionspool 804, and backing member 806 may be constructed similarly todisposable stethoscope cover 101, 701, first spool 102, 502, secondspool 104, 504, and backing member 106, 506, respectively, as describedabove. Backing member 806 travels from supply spool 802 towardcollection spool 804. Before reaching collection spool 804, backingmember travels over second idler 814 and third idler 816 to form flatarea 808 between second idler 814 and third idler 816. Flat area 808functions similarly to flat area 108 and flat area 518 described above,to provide a taut area of backing member 806 for a stethoscope head toattach to disposable stethoscope cover 801. Alternatively, spool system800 may include a spool frame having a flat back portion similar tospool frame 500 having flat back portion 514, instead of second idler814 and third idler 816 to form flat area 808. In yet anotheralternative embodiment, spool system 800 may not include second idler814 and third idler 816, and flat area 808 may be formed as described inFIGS. 1A-1D wherein a backing element of a dispenser forms flat area 808of backing member 806.

Backing member 806 having disposable stethoscope covers 801 disposedthereon may include protective tape 810 such that disposable stethoscopecovers 801 are sandwiched between backing member 806 and protective tape810. Protective tape 810 may be made of a thin and flexible materialknown in the art to protect disposable stethoscope covers 801 withoutcausing disposable stethoscope covers to adhere to protective tape 810when protective tape 810 is removed from backing member 806. As shown inFIG. 8, protective tape 810 is removed from backing member 806 beforebacking member 806 forms flat area 808 between second idler 814 andthird idler 816. As protective tape 810 is removed from backing member806, protective tape 810 moves about first idler 812 toward tape spool818 such that tape spool 818 collects protective tape 810 as backingmember moves from supply spool 802 to collection spool 804. Tape spool818 may be designed to rotate analogously with collection spool 804 suchthat the amount of protective tape 810 that is collected by tape spool818 is equal to the amount of spent backing member 806 collected bycollection spool 804.

Spool system 800 may be sized and shaped to be self-contained withincartridge housing 110 and/or cartridge housing 602. Supply spool 802 maycomprise a sprocket that prevents unraveling of backing member 806rolled about supply spool 802 as described above. Additionally,collection spool 804 may comprise a collection spool gear that engageswith a gear coupled to a motor for rotating collection spool 804 asdescribed above.

As shown in FIG. 9, an alternative embodiment to the spool system of thepresent disclosure is provided, as displayed within a cassette systemembodiment of the present invention. Cassette 900 houses a spool system850 similar to spool system 800 described in FIG. 8. In this embodiment,disposable stethoscope cover 801, as applied on backing member 806,first travels from supply spool 802 through tape spool 818 to removeprotective tape 810. In this embodiment, tape spool 818 may comprise aspool gear that engages with a gear coupled to a motor positioned belowthe cassette 900 for rotating the tape spool 818 as described herein. Asprotective tape 810 is removed from backing member 806, protective tape810 is spooled around the tape spool 818 from the motor driven operationsuch that tape spool 818 collects protective tape 810 as backing member806 moves from supply spool 802 to, eventually, collection spool 804.

As protective tape 810 is removed from backing member 806 by tape spool818, backing member 806 travels over first idler 812 and second idler814 to form flat area 808 between first idler 812 and second idler 814.Disposable stethoscope cover 801 is displayed in a central locationacross the area formed by flat area 808 to provide a taut resistancewithin backing member 806 across flat area 808 to accommodate astethoscope head to attach to disposable stethoscope cover 801.

As each disposable stethoscope cover 801 is removed, the backing member806 continues over second idler 814 towards collection spool 804, wherecollection spool 804 collects spent backing member 806 each time adisposable stethoscope cover 801 is removed from flat area 808. Tapespool 818 may be designed to rotate in accordance with collection spool804 such that the amount of protective tape 810 that is collected bytape spool 818 is roughly equal to the amount of spent backing member806 collected by collection spool 804.

Each spool has a hollow port associated with the spool, wherein thehollow port of each spool runs from the top of the cassette to thebottom of the cassette. Tape spool 818 comprises tape spool port 818 a,supply spool 802 comprises supply spool port 802 a and collection spool804 comprises collection spool port 804 a.

Spool system 850 may be sized appropriately, depending on desired sizeof cassette 900 and other relevant parameters. Optionally, spool system850 may further comprise a third idler positioned in a location to allowfor greater tautness of backing member 806.

FIG. 10 shows a preferred embodiment of cassette 900, with a cutawayview of the preferred spool system 850 described herein. The front faceof cassette 900 comprises a recessed area centrally positioned thatdefines the resistance section 901 of cassette 900. Resistance section901 may be utilized to provide appropriate resistance to backing member806 for a stethoscope head to attach to disposable stethoscope cover 801such that as a stethoscope head is pressed into the disposablestethoscope cover 801, there is sufficient resistance behind backingmember 806 to firmly attach the disposable stethoscope cover 801 tostethoscope head and allow for a sufficiently strong attachment to thenallow for the disposable stethoscope cover 801 to be removed from thebacking member 806.

According to FIG. 11, the present invention further describes a housingassembly 950 which houses cassette 900. Housing assembly 950 maycomprise arced lid 903 to cover the cassette 900 once inserted intohousing assembly 950. Preferably, the arced lid 903 is curved such thatthere is no flat surface on arced lid 903, whereby anything placed ontop of arced lid 903 will likely slide down and off housing assembly950. Cassette 900 is placed inside of housing assembly 950 by alignmentof each of the three spools with the corresponding drive shafts: tapespool 818 is paired with tape spool drive shaft 918 via tape spool port818 a, supply spool 802 is paired with supply spool drive shaft 902 viasupply spool port 802 a and collection spool 804 is paired withcollection spool drive shaft 904 via collection spool port 804 a. Oncecassette 900 is aligned according to the above-described pairings, it islowered into housing assembly 950 until cassette flooring 905 isreached. Each of the drive shafts may be attached to cassette flooring905. Optionally, each of the drive shafts may extend beyond cassetteflooring 905 and attach at a lower point within housing assembly 950.Preferably, at least one drive shaft is connected to a motor 910 thatprovides power to at least one gear responsible for driving the motionof tape spool 818.

Motor 910 may be mounted under and directly attached to the drive shaftresponsible for driving the motion of at least one spool. Alternatively,motor 910 may be mounted under another drive shaft, where such driveshaft is not the one responsible for driving the motion of the activespool. Optionally, motor 910 may operate more than one drive shaft andmay mounted under a drive shaft that is not operational. Motor 910 maybe AC/DC, hardwired into an external power source, battery operated or acombination thereof.

Positioned below cassette flooring 905 is at least one USB port 906connected to port shelf 908. Optionally, other indicators may be mountedon or to port shelf 908 including power indicators, status buttons, etc.Port shelf 908 may be positioned on the side, rear or front of housingassembly 950.

Access window 907 is centrally positioned on the front face of housingassembly 950. Preferably, each disposable stethoscope cover 801 iscentered within access window 907 as backing member 806 cycles throughspool system 850. Access window 907 may comprise a bezel, with orwithout lights. Preferably, the lighted bezel is in the form of a LEDbezel, but any light source with can accommodate the bezel dimension ofaccess window 907 would be considered part of the present disclosure.

FIG. 12A shows a representation of the installation of cassette 900 intohousing assembly 950. As shown, cassette 900 is positioned such thateach spool port is paired with the respective drive shaft from withinhousing assembly 950. FIG. 12B shows a fully installed cassette 900 intohousing assembly 950.

FIG. 13 shows a side view of housing assembly 950 with cassette 900installed. The view is transparent to provide clarity to the internalarrangement of the componentry. Battery 915 shows a preferred positionwithin housing assembly 950. Battery 915 may comprise multiplebatteries, a battery pack or a single battery to operate motor 910.Battery 915 may comprise disposable batteries, rechargeable batteries,or a combination thereof. Gate 920 is the power port to motor 910,thereby allowing the housing assembly 950 to be operated by AC power, DCpower (or both), as well as providing a charge to battery 915 forrecharging purposes. Rear mounting surface 925 is appropriately suitedfor mounting to a wall or some similar location.

Referring to FIGS. 14A and 14B, exemplary representations of a roll ofbacking member 806 providing a plurality of disposable stethoscopecovers 801 are described. FIG. 14A illustrates one embodiment of apreferred arrangement of at least one disposable stethoscope cover 801along backing member 806 from the viewpoint the exposed adhesive of eachdisposable stethoscope cover 801 as it is facing outward. Eachdisposable stethoscope cover 801 has an inner circumference 931 and anouter circumference 932, such that the difference between innercircumference 931 and outer circumference 932 ranges from about 0 toabout 0.5 inches. Preferably, the inner circumference 931 more closelyapproximates the circumference of a stethoscope head, with the outercircumference 932 being about equal to or larger than the stethoscopehead. Spacing 933 between each disposable stethoscope cover 801 rangesfrom about 0 inches to about 0.5 inches. Optionally, spacing 933 may begreater than 0.5 inches. Preferably, spacing 933 is between 0.15 to 0.35inches. Optionally, dry ring 934 defines the area between the innercircumference 931 and outer circumference 932 and may be used to assistin peeling or removing disposable stethoscope cover 801 duringapplication to stethoscope head. Width 935 of backing member 806 rangesfrom about 2 inches to about 4 inches, with a preferred range of about 2inches to about 3 inches.

FIG. 14B illustrates an alternative, preferred embodiment of backingmember 806 as described herein. Similar to FIG. 14A, exposed adhesive toeach of disposable stethoscope cover 801 is shown. Outer circumference932 may comprise a dry lift tab 936 located at a certain position aroundouter circumference 932. Preferably, dry lift tab 936 is non-adhesiveand is sized to accommodate a user's fingers by pulling up or on drylift tab 936 to remove disposable stethoscope cover 801 during theapplication process onto a stethoscope head. Optionally, backing member806 may comprise one or more timing mark 937 along the lower or upperlimits of backing member 806. Timing mark 937 may be used by spoolsystem 850, cassette 900, motor 910 or housing assembly 950 to allow forexact position of disposable stethoscope cover 801 at a preferred,centered location within access window 907.

FIG. 15 illustrates an exploded view of another preferred embodiment ofthe present invention. In this aspect, it is desirable to accommodateother, more irregularly shaped instruments for use in application of adisposable cover to the irregularly shaped instrument, such asultrasound probes. Probe kit 1000 is comprised of cassette 900 andhousing assembly 950. Cassette lid 1010 is configured to fit overcassette 900 and comprises at least two separate spool structures 1011to interface with the spools contained within the cassette.

In this embodiment, housing assembly 950 comprises a drive gear 1050extending above the floor of housing assembly 950 while motor 910 sitsdirectly underneath. Set immediately beneath the floor of housingassembly 950 is main printed circuit board assembly (PCBA) 1060 whichfurther comprises indicator LEDs 1062 that indicates cassette status andbattery levels. Main PCBA 1060 also includes a pair of location sensors1064 used to identify the next probe cover in a center position relativeto access window 907, which will then signal motor 910 to stop. In thisembodiment, access window 907 is sized to accommodate an ultrasoundprobe for application of the probe cover to the probe, the size beinglargely square or rectangular in dimension. A cassette window 1009 issimilarly sized in order to provide a visual alignment after cassetteinsertion into housing assembly 950.

Front PCBA 1070 is set behind the front face of housing assembly 950 andcomprises a proximity sensor 1072 that indicates the presence of anultrasound probe close enough to access window 907. Proximity sensorscoop 1074 is set just above access window 907 and light ring 1076 tomore accurately determine distance of probe so probe cover can bereadily accessed. Housing assembly 950 may be operated by AC power, DCpower (or both), as well as providing a charge to batteries 1080 forrecharging purposes.

Cassette 900 is shown from a top view with lid 1010 removed in FIG. 16A.In this embodiment, cassette 900 comprises two spools: supply spool 802and tape spool 818. Supply spool 802 is positioned to receive probecover roll 1013 and tape spool 818 sits over drive gear 1050, which isconnected to motor 910. Peeler pin 1012 is embedded within cassette 900proximate to supply spool 802 to accommodate removal of probe coversfrom probe cover roll 1013. This serves to ease the transfer of thedisposable instrument cover onto the instrument proper. Resistancesection 901 is utilized to provide appropriate resistance to probecovers in order to detach probe cover once applied to probe and allowfor a sufficiently strong attachment to then allow for the probe coverto be removed from probe cover roll 1013.

FIG. 16B shows a perspective view looking upwards from the underside ofa fully assembled cassette 900. In this preferred embodiment, drive port1082 and supply port 1084 can be observed located within cassetteflooring 905. Drive port 1082 is sized to fit drive gear 1050 torotationally operate tape spool 818 which, in turn, rotates supply spool802, thereby causing probe cover roll 1013 to deliver probe covers tothe center of cassette window 1009, at which time motor 910 will stop toallow probe covers to be dispensed.

FIG. 16C shows a magnified view of the location of peeler pin 1012within cassette 900. In this preferred embodiment, peeler pin 1012 ispositioned proximate to supply spool 802 in such a manner that causes achange in direction of backing member 806 around peeler pin 1012 asbacking member 806 migrates from supply spool 802 to tape spool 818.This change in direction (caused by the location of peeler pin 1012)results in a partial separation of disposable instrument cover/probecover from backing member 806.

FIG. 17A shows an exploded view an exploded view of another preferredembodiment of the present invention. Probe kit 1000 is comprised ofcassette 900 and housing assembly 950. Barrier wrapper 1090 is attachedto the underside of housing assembly 950 and comprises wrapper windows1095 to allow for probe covers to be more solidly affixed to probe afterrolling application.

FIG. 17B shows a perspective view of a fully assembled housing assembly950 with cassette 900 and barrier wrapper 1090. Foam inserts 1096 areobserved through the wrapper windows 1095.

Preferred embodiments of ultrasound probes for use in the instantinvention are shown at FIG. 18. Sizes (in inches) are also displayed forscale.

While various illustrative embodiments of the invention are describedabove, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that variouschanges and modifications may be made therein without departing from theinvention. Certain terms throughout this specification shall beconsidered synonyms, including but not limited to, cassette beingconstrued as the same meaning as cartridge, for example. The appendedclaims are intended to cover all such changes and modifications thatfall within the true scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A cassette for automatic touch-free dispensing ofdisposable instrument covers onto an instrument, the cassettecomprising: a supply spool configured to hold a backing member havingthe disposable instrument covers disposed thereon; a tape spoolconfigured to hold spent backing member without the disposableinstrument covers disposed thereon, the tape spool spaced apart from thesupply spool to define a flat area of the backing member disposedbetween the supply and tape spools, wherein the flat area furthercomprises a resistance section, the resistance section comprising aparallel section attached directly to the cartridge by way ofperpendicular edges, thereby forming a space between the backing memberand the resistance section; and a peeler pin positioned proximate to thesupply spool to change direction of a path of the backing member topartially separate the disposable instrument covers from the backingmember to ease the transfer of the disposable instrument cover onto theinstrument, wherein the supply and tape spools are configured to rotatesuch that the disposable instrument covers are exposed through acassette window positioned at a front face of the cassette, wherein thecassette comprises a lid and separate spool structures to interface withthe supply spool and the tape spool within the cassette.
 2. The cassetteof claim 1, wherein the flat area comprises a resistance section whichprovides resistance to the backing member once the instrument contactsthe disposable instrument cover through the cassette window.
 3. Thecassette of claim 1, wherein the instrument is an ultrasound probe. 4.The cassette of claim 1, wherein the cassette comprises a cassetteflooring through which at least a drive port and a supply port arepositioned.
 5. The cassette of claim 4, wherein a drive gear connectedto a motor extends through the cassette flooring at the drive port tointerface with the supply spool or the tape spool.
 6. The cassette ofclaim 4, wherein the drive port is positioned below the tape spool andthe supply port is positioned below the supply spool.
 7. The cassette ofclaim 1, wherein the flat area is sized to allow contact between aninstrument and the disposable instrument covers.
 8. A kit comprising adispenser and a cassette for automatic touch-free dispensing ofdisposable instrument covers onto an instrument, the cassettecomprising: a supply spool configured to hold a backing member havingthe disposable instrument covers disposed thereon; a tape spoolconfigured to hold spent backing member without the disposableinstrument covers disposed thereon, the tape spool spaced apart from thesupply spool to define a flat area of the backing member disposedbetween the supply and tape spools, wherein the flat area furthercomprises a resistance section, the resistance section comprising aparallel section attached directly to the cartridge by way ofperpendicular edges, thereby forming a space between the backing memberand the resistance section, wherein the supply and tape spools areconfigured to rotate such that the disposable instrument covers areexposed through a cassette window positioned at a front face of thecassette; a peeler pin positioned proximate to the supply spool tochange direction of a path of the backing member to partially separatethe disposable instrument covers from the backing member to ease thetransfer of the disposable instrument cover onto the instrument; and adispenser housing with a lid configured to house the cassette, thedispenser housing comprising an access window configured to permitinsertion of the instrument therethrough to permit coupling of theinstrument to the disposable instrument cover exposed at the accesswindow and positioned at the flat area of the backing member, whereinthe supply and tape spools are configured to rotate such that thedisposable instrument covers are exposed through the access window,wherein the cassette comprises a lid and separate spool structures tointerface with the supply spool and the tape spool within the cassette.9. The kit of claim 8, wherein the instrument is an ultrasound probe andthe disposable instrument covers are disposable covers for applicationto the ultrasound probe.
 10. The kit of claim 8, wherein the flat areacomprises a resistance section which provides resistance to the backingmember once the instrument contacts the disposable instrument coverthrough the cassette window.
 11. The kit of claim 8, wherein thecassette window of the cassette and the access window of the dispenserhousing are aligned.
 12. The kit of claim 8, wherein the flat area issized to allow contact between an instrument and the disposableinstrument covers.
 13. The kit of claim 8, wherein the cassettecomprises a cassette flooring through which at least a drive port and asupply port are positioned.
 14. The kit of claim 13, wherein a drivegear connected to a motor extends through the cassette flooring at thedrive port to interface with the supply spool or the tape spool.
 15. Thekit of claim 13, wherein the drive port is positioned below the tapespool and the supply port is positioned below the supply spool.